DRINKERS at this year’s Coventry Beer Festival bid a fond farewell to a much-loved city landlord.

As well as raising a glass to Ian McAllister, drinkers also raised more than £300 in his memory.

Mr McAllister, who ran the Beer Engine pub in Far Gosford Street, promoting local ale and providing a venue for up-and-coming city bands, died in January.

Instead of flowers, Mr McAllister’s family asked for donations to the charity Asthma UK, and beer festival organisers collected during the two-day event earlier this month.

Mick Madder, of the Coventry and North Warwickshire Campaign for Real Ale, said: “Ian came down to the beer festival every year and loved to try out the different beers. He took over the Beer Engine and being a musical guy, he realised it was a great venue but was under used.